Electrical warning light system for motor vehicles and a switch for use in such a system



`Fan. 4, 1949. J. voLKER 2,458,323

ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND A SWITCH FOR USEIN SUCH SYSTEMS Filed June 28, 1946 2 Sheets-She'et l HIS ATTORNEY Jan.4, 1949. J, VOLKER 2,458,323

ELECTRICAL WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM FOR MOTOR VEHICLES AND A SWITCH FOR USEIN SUCH SYSTEMS Filed June 28, l946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Wiz ` H15ATTORNEY Jo//A/ #a ff@ Patented Jan. 4, 1949 UNITED: STAT-'ESELECTRICAL'WARNING LIGHT SYSTEM FOR r MOTOR l'VEHICLES AND A 1 SWITCHFOR-4 USE IN SUCH A SYSTEM J ohnVolker, Brooklyn, N."Y.

Application June 28, 1946, SeriaLNo. 679,980.

7 Claims.` (C1. 177-337) My invention relates to motor vehicles .andmore particularly to an electrical warning light system for motorvehicles.

Statistics show that many fatal accidents occur during dusk or dark ofnight, when a -driver has to stop his motor vehicle for one of manyreasons, on a street, parkway, or highway. All too often oncomingdrivers of other motor vehicles 'either take no notice of such astalledmotor vehicle at all, or notice same when it is too late.

The main reason for such rear-on accidents is that the operator of thedisabled motor vehicle does not display a warning signal at all,`or thatthe tail lights of the stalled motor vehicle fail to attract suicientattention,.or are .mistaken by the approaching driver.

An object of the present invention is to provide an eiective electricalwarning light system for motor vehicles, by means of which such hazardsas mentioned above may be reduc'ed'to a minimum.

A further object of the present inventionis to provide an electricalwarning light system for motor vehicles, by means of which -a maximum ofprotection .may be given to the driver of a stalled motor vehicle,before he steps `out of his motor vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electricalwarning light system for motor vehicles which does not require anyadditional lamp equipment on the motor vehicle.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a motor vehiclewith a warning light system by means of which the standard rear lightingequipment of a motor vehicle may be readily converted into a warninglight system by the use of a warning light switch mounted on thedashboard.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a motorvehicle with a warning light system, by means of which interruptedcurrent may be applied to all tail and stop'lights so as to transformsame to warning lights, irrespective of whether the head or parkinglights are switched on or on.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electricswitch for use in an electrical warning light system of motor vehicles.

With the above and other objects of the in= vention in view, theinvention consists'in' the novel construction, arrangement andcombination of various devices, elements and parts',` as set forth inthe claims hereof, certain lembodiments of the same being described inthe specication and being illustrated in the accompany@ Fig, 1 isV adiagram of" an' electrical Warning light system f or a. motor vehicleI'according to'the invention,

Fig. V`2 is' a front elevational view of van'electric switch for use inan' electrical warningglig'ht system according tothe invention, saidswitch being shown mounted on the dashboardoffthe motor vehicle,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of 'the switchtaken' on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,A

Figili is rafragmentary sectionallview oi" the switch similar 'to thatshown inf Fig.'3,l-`.wher,e in," however, the bridging contact members..of'the switch are in a .diie'rent position,

Fig. 5 is a sectional viewtaken on1ine.5"5 of Fig..3,.

Figffi is a sectional view taken on line ,6J--` of Fig. 4,

Fig.` 'Tis a diagram of a diierent embodiment.. of anielectrical warninglight systemiramotor vehicle according to' the invention,

Fig. 8 is a side elevational'yiewof la switch' for .use in the.electrical warning light vsystem shown in Fig. 7,` and Fig'. 9 isasectional :view taken on li-iief--B of Fig-8.v`

Referring now to Fig. 1, 2,0 generallyiindic'ates the batteryof Ya motorvehicle'. One pole'of said battery isv connected with the ground(lo'dy'ofv the motor vehicle) bya line 22,v the other-pole ofsaidbatteryis connectedfby a line .24with one terminalv of a stop lamp switch`26.". The other'ter-minal of said stop ,lampfswitch 2"is connected by a-line 428 .withthe right-hand stop lamp V3[I"'and the left-hand stoplamp3'Z"oi "the motor vehicle. The `right-hand'"stop lampi30is grounded at34, the 'left-handstop;lampp132 is grounded at 36. The circuit includingfthe ,lines 24, 28, the stop lamp v"switch V26,.andth`e l,stop

lamps Scand 32 may be'called the stoplamp' circuit.

Above mentioned `stop;lamp'switcl'i' 26is 'coulI pled with the springlloaded brake pedail ofith'e motor vehicle in 'a mannerknownpersein'such a. way," thatupon a depressing offtlie fbrak pedal fortheapplicationof the brakesof"th'e .motor vehicle the stcp"lamp'switch"`26`is" auto= m'atically "closed, and that 'upon' a release kofizhe brakepedal 'for therelea'se of the vbrakesilie stoplampv switch '26 isautomatically opened; The stop lampswitchmay 'be of any"' co'nven=`tional construction', for lexample the stoplamp switch may be of thehydraulictype 'arranged-in 48 by aline 10.

3 the line of the hydraulic brake system for actuation by the liquid ofthe hydraulic system. Thus,` the stop lamp switch is normally held inopen position as shown in Fig. 1, and is closed only for the duration ofthe application of the brakes.

Fig. 1 illustrates a separate right-hand stop` lamp 30 and a separateright-hand tail light 38; likewise, Fig. 1 illustrates a separateleft-hand stop lamp 32 and a separate left-hand tail light 40. Ifdesired, however, each of said stop lamps and tail lights may form apart of a lamp body with a double lament bulb having a 2l C. P; (candlepower) filament for the stop light and a 3 C. P. lament for the taillight.

42 generally indicates a warning light switch having seven terminals 42I, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 421 and two bridging contact members 43| and432,

The terminal 422 of the warning light switch y 42, is connected by aline 44 with the line 28 of the stop lamp circuit between the stop lampswitch 26 and the stop lamps 30 and 32.

Furthermore, one pole of the battery 20 is connected by a line 46 withone terminal of a light switch 48 of conventional construction. The.other terminal of said light switch 43 is connected by a line 50 withthe terminal 424 of the warning light switch 42. The terminal 423 ofsaid warning light switch 42 is connected by a line 52 with the ,taillights 38 and 40 and with a license-plate lamp 54. The tail light 38 isgrounded at 56, the tail light 40 is grounded at 58, and thelicenseplate lamp 54 is grounded at 60. The circuit including the line46, the light switch 48, the line 50, the line 52, the tail light 38, 40and the licenseplate lamp 50 may be called the tail light circuit.

62 indicates the right-hand parking light and 64 indicates the left-handparking light (the headlights are not shown in Fig. 1). The righthandparking light 62 `grounded at 66 and the left-hand parking light 64grounded at 68 are connected with one terminal of the light switchMoreover, one pole of the battery 20 is connected by a line 12 with theterminal 14 oi the ignition switch 16. The terminal 18 of said ignitionswitch 16 is connected by a line 80with an ignition coil 82. Theterminal 84 of the 'ignition switch 16 is connected by a line 86withlthe pole 81 of a current intermitter or .iuasherv 88. The otherpole 89 of said current intermitter 88 is connected by a line 90 withthe terminal 42| of the warning light switch 42. 'I he terminal 425 ofsaid warning light switch 42 is connected by a line 92 with the terminal94 of adirectional light switch 96 which may be of any conventionalconstruction. The terminal 98 of said directional light switch isconnected by a line with a right-hand front directional light|,02grounded at |04 and a right-hand rear directional light |06 groundedat |06. The terminal |0 of the directional light switch 96 is connectedby a line ||2 with a left-hand front directional light v| I4 grounded at||6 and a left-hand rear .directional light ||8 grounded at |20. Thebridge |22 vof the directional light switch 96 may be brought eitherinto the neutral position shown in Fig. 1 or into contact with theterminal 98 or into contact with the terminal H0. The circuitincludingthe line 12, the line 86, the current intermitter .88, the line 90, theline 92, the directional light ,switch 96, the lines |00' and ||2 andthe directional lights |02, |06, ||4, ||8 may be called a directionallight circuit. l

The line 46 between the battery 20 and the 4 light switch 48 isconnected by a line |24 with the terminal 426 of the warning lightswitch 42. The terminal 421 of said warning light switch 42 is connectedby a line |26 with the pole 81 of the current intermitter 88. Thecircuit including the lines |24 and |26 may be called an auxiliarycircuit. v

|28indicates an indicator lamp grounded at |36. Said indicator lamp isconnected by a line |32 with a contact element |34 of the warning lightswitch 42.

Figs. 2-6 illustrate a preferred construction of a warning light switch42 for use in above described electrical warning light system. Saidwarning light switch comprises a split supporting casing |36 consistingof the parts |38 and |40 ofv insulating material. Said parts |38 and |36are held together by a cap |42 screwed on a threaded end thereof. Theother end 0f said casing |36 is screwed into a bushing |44 of conductivematerial. The terminals 425, 422, 423, 421 are secured to the portion|38 ofthe casing |36. The

terminals 42|, 424, 426 are secured to the portion |40 of the casing|36. l

When the warning light'l switch 42 is mounted on the dashboard |46 bymeans of a nut |48 of conductive material screwed on the bushing |44,the terminal 425 may be connected by a lwire 92 with the directionallight switch, the terminal 422 may be connected by a wire 44 with thestop lamp switch, the terminal 423 may be connected by a wire 52 withthe tail lights and license-plate lamp and the terminal 421 may beconnected by a wire |26 withl one pole of the current inter-` mitter;likewise, the terminal 42| may be connected by a wire 90 with the otherpole of said current intermitter, the terminal 424 may be connected by aWire 50 with the light switch, and the terminal 426 may be connected bya wire |24 with the battery. n

An actuating member or actuating rod |50 of insulating material' isslidably arranged in the casing |36. its MP-position is limited by theabutment of its right-hand. end against the casing |36 as shown in Fig.3; the other extreme position of said actuating member |50, i. e. itsonposition is limited by the abutment of a shoulder |52 against thebushing |44 as shown in Fig. 4.

The bridging contact members 43| and 432 are mounted on said actuatingmember |50. Furthermore, said actuating member |50 lcarries the contactelement |34 connected with a spring loaded metallic disc |54 by aninsulated wire |32 passing througha bore of the actuating member |50.Said spring loaded disc |54 is shiftably arranged in a bore |56 of asocket |58 of conductive material, attachedto the actuating member |50.A`

terminal of the indica-tor lamp |28 inserted into the socket |58 may bebrought into contact with a nipple or the like on the disc 'i 54. Theother terminal of said indicator lamp 28 is connected with the dashboard|46 (ground) through the conductive socket |58, bushing |44 and nut |48..An actuating knob |60 of translucent insulating material having acavity for receiving the indicator lamp |28 is secured by a set screw|62 to the socket l|58 rigidly connected with the actuating k rod |50. t

The terminals 42|-421, the bridging contact members 43| and 432 and thecontact element |34' are arranged in such a manner relativey to eachother, that .the bridging contactmember 43| connects the terminal 42|with the terminal 425,

thebridging contact member 432 connects the One extreme positionthereof, i. e.`

license plate lamp, which will electively attract 2S terminal423withthe,terminalx424;andathe contact element |34 is out of -contact withthe. terminal 42|, whenithe actuatingrod |50 is in.' the ofipositionshown .in Fig.. 3,..andithat the minal 42| with the terminalsg422 .and423, the bridging Contact member. 432 connects theterminal 5326 with theterminal-427, andthe contact element is in contact with the, terminaly42 I, when the actuating rod |50 is in the fonfposition shown in Fig.4.

The operation of the system and the, switch describedabcve is asfollows:

When the motor vehicle is in motion, the warning light switch 42 is inits o1-position asshoWn in Figs. l and 3. Furthermore, the;b1 'idgeA|64of the ignition switch l'Hi is broughtinto such a position, that itconnects the terminal-14 with the terrninals 'i8 and S4. Therefore,current is supplied from the battery 2c to the ignition coil ,82.and,through the current intermitter 88 and the bridging contact member` 43|of the warningdight switch 42 to the bridge |22 of the directional lightswitch 96. When the bridge |22 oisaid directional light switch 95 isbrought into contact With; 25-Y the terminal 98, the right-handdirectional lights |02 and l will flash on and-off intermittently aslong as the current intermitter 8B is connected through said bridge |22with said right-hand directional lights. In a similar manner a ashing,.30 light will emanate from the left-hand directional lights H4 and H8,When the bridge |22 of the directional light switchv 96 is connectedwith the terminal H0. When the bridge |22 is in the neutral positionshown in Fig. 1,' the directional35f3 lights |02, |05, H4 and ||8 areshut off.

Furthermore, the stop lamps andy 32 will emanate a steady light as longas the stop lamp switch 2S is closed upon an actuation of the brakepedal. ,Il

Moreover, a closing of the light switch 48 WillA cause the emanation ofa steady light from the iront lights S2, E4, the tail lights 38, Vv40andthe license-plate lamp 54.

The indicator lamp |28 of the warning lightl switch 42 is shut o-i, asthe contactl element |34 is out of contact with the terminal -42| whenthe warning light switch is in the 'offposition shown in Fig. l.

When it becomes necessary to park the motor". vehicle on a street, road,or highway for a repair, the driver of the motor Vehicle may pull outthe actuating member. I of the warning light switch into the on-positionshown in4 Fig. 4, before he steps out of the motor vehicle. Nowfthecurrent. f intermitter 83 is disconnected from the terminal 425connected with theV directional light switch, and said currentintermitter is connectedinstead through the terminals /422 and'423 withthe stop lights 30, 32, tail lights 38, 40, and license-plate. lamp 54,so that a bright flashingwarning signal ema-hates from said stop lamps,tail lights,- and the attention of the driver of a motor Vehicleapproaching from the rear. The stop lights, tail44g lights, and licenseplate lamp will continue -to flash waming signals even afterthe'shutting oit` of the motor by returning the bridge :|64 of theignition switch 'I6 into the position shownl in' Fig. l, as now thebridging contact member 432 of theff warning light switch, after aninterruption of the tail light circuit connects the terminals 426 and421 with each other, whereby the auxiliary circuit is closed for adirect supplyof current from the Ybattery through the-lnes,|;,2,4-,;;.|;2,6 .j;Q-thef1 timore; ai flashingulghtt Willa. emanate :frO. ffdicatonilampzfkcoffthetwarning, l-ighttsnfith L42, asfnowrthefcontact elemental 341s; bridging contact member 43| connects.the-'ter- .y.vrtwnii-1gllight-` switchs F42 fshownirrEigs.. .hand .3 assoonrasfthereis no loneer iismanectednwit thegterminal ,A231 ofthe-.warniangirlight-.iswitchr h 11,- :howeremtheflicensehlatezlamnnllmay b. directly :.cormectedtfi csiwitchingtoniof-the :Miaminglightvswith 4will not 1icauserthefemanatinnzloi a; -;laS1,1.inglicht-iront the diocesani-ete lamp.

f? 6 .'.polel foiltheicurrent.fintermtterfsi. Furthertheln':contactar/ith ther-,terminal 242 hccmnecte d; with ,fthe correntem-.f,termitterr.8. :iSaidvndicatorilamml 28.y will remind thai-operatore@thenmetor yehcleztogreturmthe I. in toiits' -foi-epcstion .need.;.for'aboye described-iwarningisignals.

seccordiilgito Eier 135th@ dicensainlateflamnall .thi the-,light.switclri-Mgfsogthat .the

As will be readily understood from abovathe 'Waminenightisystem;willfbef iin; operation. br/the hetheri thewilight; switch 348yis )formswtchington i orrshuttng Fig. 7 illustrates a differentlembodimentfoanj electriargwarning:light system for motor vehicles which ,are.notfequipped witlifdirectional lights.

. According,tonFigijZnagain thestop lamp circuit -i .Ther-.terminal4,24fof. said Wam'ngdghtswitchis y. ,connected withai lineall fof saidtail light; circuit,

and the terminal 423 of said warning light switch 425;,is :connected@With-@the dine :52.fof4 the:tai lx light :10111 it :f 'Ehe'terminaban-fof@ther-.warning light switch 42 is connected by theline-44 witlrtheclinefrof .Vv 42| offthe warning flight;switch42.f is.Aconnected ,byL, heglinei 90;l Withthev p ole 8 9.. ofpzthe., currentintermitter 88, theiotberfpole 81. otwhicnis connected by a line |66with the..,battery..20.14The circuit including;thev lineil,Z the currentinter- ,mi,tter :88,1 the fline 590. andi.the";line:.44 rmay-be;-call,ed. a yfour-rent` intermitten;circuit, which is Yfarranged-inyshuntLto thezstoplamp .switchf26.

ndi1422, that it ,interrupts 'the 1 .,currentgintermitter;circuit, ,itsbridging v,contact rnemberASg; isin s uch a position relative tothe,terminalsjgfi 3.1-,and :.42 4that it lcloses vthe tail `.light-circuitgandq-its ycontactpelement |34 connected e.mththemdicatoalarnpfl,2811s- .out l0f Contact `With the; terminal 42 I.Therefore saidindicator lamp `|28 does not; flight iup, and a steady.light.-` .lwill gemellate. fmmzthestop lamn is longas theistoplamnswitchf; is .closed,qand likewise a steady ghtwillernanate from-thetail,lights'a38',:40, ythe Sense.- plate-lamp ,54, .v and; the front.;lights-.t62,

5 as :lang as .the lightswitchds-,is c1osed.

displaced relative to the terminals of the warning light switch in thesame manner as described above in connection with the warning lightswitch 42 shown in Figs. 3 and 4, so that now the bridging contactmember 43| connects the terminal i.;

42| with the terminals 422 and 423, the bridging contact member 432interrupts a connection between the terminals 423and 424, and the-contact element |34 is in contact with the terminal 42|.

Therefore, now the current intermitter 88 is connected with the stoplamp 30` and the tail lights 38 and 40 so as to cause the emanation offlashing warning signals therefrom; furthermore, a'flashing light willemanate from the indicator lamp |28. As the tail light circuit isinterrupted at..y

424, the closing of the light switch 48 will cause the emanation of asteady light only fromvthe license plate lamp 54 and the front lights 62and 64.

Of course, if desired, the license plate lamp 54.,

could be connectedl with the line 52 of the tail light circuitcorresponding to the connection of the license plate lamp 54 in thesystem shown in Fig. 1. In such a case the switching on of the warninglight switch4 42 would also cause the.

emanation of a flashing warning light from the license plate lamp 54-The warning light switch 42' shown in Fig. 7 has only four terminals42|,'4|2, 423, and 424.

If desired, however, the Warning light switch 42` having seven terminals42 |-4'21 as shown in Figs. 2-6 may be used in the warning llight systemaccording to Fig. '7. In such a case the terminals 425, 428 and 421remain unconnected.

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, the current.

intermitter 88 may be directly mounted on the warning light switch, forexample a warning light switch 42 of the type shown in Figs. 2-6, bymeans of screwsl |10.

The term motor vehicle used in the specifica-'- tion and claims is to beunderstood in its broadest sense as-a self-propelled vehicle'suitablefor use on a street or roadway.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it isunderstood that numerous changes and omissions may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention, -set forth in theappended claims.

What I claim is:

l. An electrical warning light system for motor vehicles comprising: asource of electrical current, a stop lamp circuit connected with saidsource of electrical current, said stop lamp circuit including a stoplamp switch and at least one stop lamp, a tail light circuit connectedwith said source of electrical current, said tail light circuitincluding a light switch and a plurality of tail lights, a currentintermitter circuit including a current intermitter, said currentintermitter circuit being connected with said stop lamp circuit in shuntto said stop lamp switch, and a warning light switch having at leastfour terminals and two mechanically connected movable bridging contactmembers arranged for cooperation with said terminals, two terminals ofvsaid warning' tail lights in the onposition of the warning lightswitch.

2. In an electrical warning light system as claimed in claim 1, anindicator lamp, and a contact element in the warning light switch, saidContact element being electrically connected with said indicator lamp`and being arranged for connecting said indicator lamp with the currentintermitter when the Warning light switch is in its onposition.

3. In an electrical warning light system as claimed in claim l, saidtail light circuit including a license-plate lamp, and said bridgingcontact members connecting said license-plate lamp with the currentintermitter when the Warning switch is in its onposition.

4. An electrical warning light system for motor vehicles comprising: asource Iof electrical current, a stop lamp circuit connected with saidrtional light circuit including a current inter.

miter, a directional light switch and a plurality of directional lights,anda warning light switch having at least five terminals and twomechanically connected movable bridging contact members arranged forcooperation with said terminals, two terminals of said warning lightswitch being arranged in `said directional light circuit, two otherterminals of said warning light `switch being arranged in said taillight circuit,

the fifth terminal of said warning light switch being connected to theline of said stop lamp Circuit connecting the stop lamp switch with thestop lamp, said bridging contact members of said warning light switchclosing said directional light circuit, disconnecting said stop lampfrom said current intermitter and closing said tail lightcircuit whenlthe warning light switch is in its offposition, and said bridgingcontact members disconnecting said directional light switch from saidcurrent intermitter, connecting said stop lamp with said currentintermitter, interrupting said tail light circuit and connecting saidtail lights,v with said current intermitter when the warning switch isin its onposition.

5. In an electrical warning light system as claimed in claim 4, anindicator lamp, and a contact element in the warning light switch, saidcontact element being electrically connected with said indicator lampand being arranged for connecting said indicator lamp with the currentintermitter when the warning light switch is in its onposition.

GiIn an electrical lwarning light system as claimed in claim 4, saidtail light circuit includinga license-plate lamp, and said bridgingcontact members connecting said license-plate lamp with the currentintermitter when the warning switch is in its onposition.

'7. In an electrical warning light system `as claimed in claim 4, anignition switch arranged in the directional light circuit between thesource of current and the current intermitter, and an auxiliary circuitconnecting the current intermitter with the source of electricalcurrent, said auxiliary circuit including an auxiliary switch, thebridging contact member of said auxiliary switch -being coupled with thebridging contact 9 10 members of the warning light switch so as to in`UNITED STATES PATENTS terrupt said auxiliary circuit when the warningNumber Name Date light SWtCh 1S in S Om-DOSOH and S0 3S t0 1 178 873Potter Apk 11 1916 close said auxiliary circuit when the Warning 1594474Slayton Aug 3 1926 light SWCh S in S 011DOSOI1 5 1683496 Stevens Sept 4i1928 2,086,959 Rom July 13, 1937 JOHN VOLKER- 2,091,470 Doug1as Aug. 31,1937 2,125,668 Chase Aug. 2, 1938 REFERENCES CITED lo 2,186,911 EricksonJan. 9, 1940 The following references are of record in the 2,203,502Michel June 4, 1940 file of this patent: 2,218,442 Thurber Oct. 15, 19402,386,120 James Oct. 2, 1945

